Probe into Trump associates ties to Russia extends to current White House official: Report

The investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia has now reached an official currently working in the White House. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

The investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia has now reached an official currently working in the White House.

The official is now a "significant person of interest," according to the Washington Post, which cited "people familiar with the case."

The individual has not been identified.

Federal investigators continue to look into Trump associates who previously worked with the campaign and the new administration, such as former national security adviser Mike Flynn, and their ties to Russia.

Flynn resigned earlier this year after he lied to Vice President Mike Pence about conversations he had with Russian officials.

The FBI is also exploring whether financial crimes had been committed by some close to Trump.

The Post reported that the "intensifying effort" does not mean criminal charges will be filed.

In a statement, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said an investigation into the campaign and Russia wouldn't find any wrongdoing.

"As the president has stated before, a thorough investigation will confirm that there was no collusion between the campaign and any foreign entity," Spicer said.

Sarah Isgur Flores, a spokeswoman for the Justice Department, said she "can't confirm or deny the existence or non-existence of investigations or targets of investigations."

News that the probe into Russia has reached a current White House official came as the president and his top advisers departed this afternoon for an eight-day trip abroad.

The development caps a tumultuous week for the Trump administration, during which it was reported that the president had asked former FBI Director James Comey to stop the bureau's investigation into Flynn. It was also revealed that Trump allegedly shared classified information during a meeting with Russian officials in the Oval Office.

Earlier this week, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed a special counsel, former FBI Director Robert Mueller, to lead the investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 election.

Eight lawmakers, dubbed the Gang of Eight, were told of the change in the investigation's focus Wednesday.